3/26 Max AMPS 347 +3 407 +7 302 + 10 233 PMPS 258 +2 197 +3.25 119 +4 97
- Thread starter Max & Lori
- Start date
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Good morning. I tried feeding at different times last night, but it didn't make much of a difference if any. Max still remained high and flat. Max is just going to do what he's going to do. This helicopter momma is going to try and back off. Although I may seem like I have no patience sometimes, I'm really not an impatient person at all. I've actually been very patient with Max, but not patient with myself. Max's journey with illness didn't start just 9 months ago, it's been nearly his entire life. I adopted Max from an animal shelter 11 years ago after losing a very much loved white cat I had named Gabriel, who died of kidney failure. I held onto him way too long, trying to prolong his life. I have a very hard time with loss. My heart was broken after that and my husband wanted me to get another cat, despite me not wanting to. I didn't think my heart could be open enough for another pet. I fell in love with him immediately and he was the most loving, playful little ginger kitty I'd ever seen. We soon noticed that he had breathing difficulties and after numerous tests and visits to NC State, he was diagnosed with feline asthma. I've sat with this cat in ER's, watched him when he couldn't breathe, have seen him so sick he wouldn't move. Between the asthma and the DKA, I think that took 10 years off of my life. I've done everything that I know to do. I've learned so much about every diagnosis he has. We went to NC State again last year, this time for acro and all of the follow up that comes with that. He has another appointment there in a couple of months. My husband calls him the $25,000 cat (probably even more) we got free from the animal shelter, but I love Max so much I just do what I have to do. Max has also been with me through some hard times in my own life, empty nest syndrome, losing my momma, my grand daughter's health problems, etc. He's a big part of my comfort when times are rough. He deserves that from me too and I try my best to give him the best. I don't know if this even matters to anybody else, but this is just where we are and that's why I keep on fighting what seems an endless battle. I'm thankful for the time I have with Max, good and bad. We will just keep trying to do our best. Thanks to FDMB for helping us.
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carfurby (GA)
Member Since 2012
It's obvious you love Max and will do the best you can for him. He is a special kitty and he is lucky to have you. 
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Thanks Carla. Some days are just so discouraging but I’m sure it’s that way for everyone else too. I just feel like I’m not doing something right. I wish I knew as much as you and some of the others do.It's obvious you love Max and will do the best you can for him. He is a special kitty and he is lucky to have you.
Tiger(GA) and Ruth
Member Since 2014
(((((Max and Lori))))) Yes, heck yes, it matters to read your words!!! People here truly understand your love for Max and for your other furbabies. Please, don't blame or question yourself, FD, ACRO, all of the health issues, sometimes things are just not in our power to control, we just try to do our best and love our babies, that's all we can do.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Thank you so much. Yes you are right. It’s hard for me to accept that I can’t “fix” him but that’s reality. Just needed to vent here because I know all of the nice people here understand. I don’t really have “cat people friends” otherwise. Thank you for reading and understanding. I really appreciated that.
Christie & Maverick
Member Since 2017
Oh Lori
I honestly can say you are doing EVERYTHING right! Try not to be so hard on yourself. I used to get so frustrated because I would see greens one cycle and think - ok, maybe now we can get on a roll here. I very rarely got two cycles back to back where we'd have green, and most definitely not too many days in a row. I got into similar feeling as you, since I just felt like I was failing him. No matter what I did I could just never get better than just somewhat regulated. So I had to shift my mentality a little around year 2 after his diagnosis, where I just wanted to do what I could to keep him happy and healthy. Remission just wasn't going to be in the cards for us, and I just had to make my peace with that.
Some kitties just bounce, although that's no consolation, when you see other kitties who don't seem to have that problem. And you also have other concurrent issues with Max that you are managing. Max is so lucky to have such a caring mama
I honestly can say you are doing EVERYTHING right! Try not to be so hard on yourself. I used to get so frustrated because I would see greens one cycle and think - ok, maybe now we can get on a roll here. I very rarely got two cycles back to back where we'd have green, and most definitely not too many days in a row. I got into similar feeling as you, since I just felt like I was failing him. No matter what I did I could just never get better than just somewhat regulated. So I had to shift my mentality a little around year 2 after his diagnosis, where I just wanted to do what I could to keep him happy and healthy. Remission just wasn't going to be in the cards for us, and I just had to make my peace with that.
Some kitties just bounce, although that's no consolation, when you see other kitties who don't seem to have that problem. And you also have other concurrent issues with Max that you are managing. Max is so lucky to have such a caring mama
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
I love Max’s story. Thank you for telling us a bit more. I think, as I have said before, that your devotion to Max is a beautiful thing. You certainly are not alone on the Board. Pretty much all of us go “above and beyond” for our cats. They give to us in the ways that you describe, and we try to do our best for them. A lot of the time that is not easy and requires sacrifice. So you are among friends here and are “preaching to the choir!” We understand. You are doing great. Since Max is going to do his thing…. don’t forget to take care of yourself! Now for me, part of taking care of myself is actually taking care of my cats. I don’t think I could be happy without trying my best for them. But, I do need to do other things as well. Acro cats are HARD, too. Hugs to you. You are a Kindred Spirit.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Oh Lori
I honestly can say you are doing EVERYTHING right! Try not to be so hard on yourself. I used to get so frustrated because I would see greens one cycle and think - ok, maybe now we can get on a roll here. I very rarely got two cycles back to back where we'd have green, and most definitely not too many days in a row. I got into similar feeling as you, since I just felt like I was failing him. No matter what I did I could just never get better than just somewhat regulated. So I had to shift my mentality a little around year 2 after his diagnosis, where I just wanted to do what I could to keep him happy and healthy. Remission just wasn't going to be in the cards for us, and I just had to make my peace with that.
Some kitties just bounce, although that's no consolation, when you see other kitties who don't seem to have that problem. And you also have other concurrent issues with Max that you are managing. Max is so lucky to have such a caring mama
Thank you Christie.
I really do try my best. I have days like this though when I feel so defeated. I’m gradually trying to accept that Max will never be regulated. I have never even expected him to be OTJ, all I wish for is that he would spend a little longer in blue and green. Sometimes it feels like he spends more time bouncing than anything else. I look back at his SS though and am so thankful for the progress we’ve made. I just hope for him to get a little better though. Maybe that’s asking too much. I sure do love the good days though. Thanks so much again, Christie.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Yes I agree with you about part of taking care of yourself is taking care of your cats. That’s me too. I only have one cat, Max and a sweet black Labrador retriever, Tank who also has some medical problems. My husband helps with the dog, but Max is a one person cat and will only let me take care of him. I can’t be at peace with myself without taking care of Max. I do other things that I really enjoy, but I always try to do them around Max’s schedule. Some things like traveling, have had to be sacrificed. There’s no way I’d go off and leave Max. I have nobody else who I’d trust with him. Thanks so much Suzanne.
Good luck landing the helicopter and keeping it grounded. This is something we all share because we care and love our furbabies.
Remember, cats keep bouncing until they don't. There is only so much you can do to help that before the cat has to do their share. Max's body is still bouncing when it sees high greens.
This is something we all share because we care and love our furbabies. Remember, cats keep bouncing until they don't. There is only so much you can do to help that before the cat has to do their share. Max's body is still bouncing when it sees high greens.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Thanks Wendy. I think you know me and my worrying all too well now, but I really do appreciate your patience with me in going through all of this. I know you have to tell me things more than once sometimes when I get so stressed out. Thank you though. I hope you know how much I appreciate it, as I’m sure everyone else does too. Seems like he clears one bounce then goes right back to another one. I will be so glad if he ever gets used to greens!Good luck landing the helicopter and keeping it grounded.
Remember, cats keep bouncing until they don't. There is only so much you can do to help that before the cat has to do their share. Max's body is still bouncing when it sees high greens.
Lori - it's sort of like looking in a mirror. 
Don't know if you've ever looked at Neko's first year SS. It took her a year past first SRT before she stopped bouncing to reds. Marje, Sienne, and Julie put up with a lot of my angst too.
Don't know if you've ever looked at Neko's first year SS. It took her a year past first SRT before she stopped bouncing to reds. Marje, Sienne, and Julie put up with a lot of my angst too.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Oh, how about that? I have looked at some of Neko’s SS but don’t think I looked at the first year yet. I will do that. Like I said, your experiences with Neko help me so much. It’s almost like you know exactly what my concerns are and give me great advice! Here I am thinking I’ve got to be the most aggravating person with the world’s most difficult to manage cat. Thanks, I will definitely look at Neko’s SS. Getting ready to do Max’s PMPS now so we will see where he is now.Lori - it's sort of like looking in a mirror.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
@Wendy&Neko I do see a lot of similarities in Max’s SS compared with Neko’s. It’s tough to manage for sure, but at least I can see sort of what to expect. I’m glad you pointed that out for me!
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Thank you to everyone for your kind words of encouragement today. I really needed them. Joining FDMB is one of the best things Max and I have ever done. I can’t say that enough. So many wonderful and experienced people here. Maybe Max is going to come down some tonight. @Wendy&Neko if you happen to see this, I wanted to ask if you ever gave Neko LC food like at PMPS +9 or something like that, and if that would help the bouncing any at all? I have left food out in Max’s feeder but it seems like every time I do, he vomits. Don’t know if it’s barf and scarf or what so I’ve stopped doing that. I could try it again if you think it would make any difference. I’m kind of focused on the feeding thing, but I do understand that if he bounces then he just does.
Maybe Max is going to come down some tonight. @Wendy&Neko if you happen to see this, I wanted to ask if you ever gave Neko LC food like at PMPS +9 or something like that, and if that would help the bouncing any at all? I have left food out in Max’s feeder but it seems like every time I do, he vomits. Don’t know if it’s barf and scarf or what so I’ve stopped doing that. I could try it again if you think it would make any difference. I’m kind of focused on the feeding thing, but I do understand that if he bounces then he just does.
My situation was a bit different than yours. I took longer to switch Neko to Lev and it did seem to help flatten her out. She wasn't a big diver, so bounces were mostly due to lower numbers or a long time in nice numbers. As for +9 in the PM cycle, it depended on a few things. For a good part of the year I was up at +9 to get ready for a workout, so it was easy to test and feed if needed. I tried not to get her in the habit of a snack then, as I valued my sleep those days I did not get up so early. She'd still get a freeze dried something with the test. Since Neko's nadir tended to be in the +9 to +12 range most times (not all), it was also a common time for a spot check even on those nights I wasn't getting up early. Depending on what her before bed test said, I'd set an alarm for then.
Max both onsets and nadirs earlier than Neko did. Feeding after nadir is not recommended, unless you are bringing up low numbers. So a +9 in general might not be a good time for a Max feed.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Okay I understand that. I wish Max didn't dive, but he does. Just like right now, so it may be an interesting night...and then he will probably go back to his bouncing.
Time to try to slow him down a bit. Good to see you've added some MC.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Fed more MC @ +4 BG 97. I will try to recheck in an hour.
Max & Lori
Member Since 2021
Maybe I should have given LC @+4, but it was so close to bedtime. If he would only have a cycle like this during the day, I think we would have been able to keep him green at least a little bit longer with LC. Nice night though.